Quote:
Originally Posted by hedzeppelin
John, that's fine...everyone has their own way of playing. However, scales are basically "tools".
In other words, when I walk into a jam situation, I want to be able to jam to any chord progression that's thrown at me. Therefore, I pull out different "tools" to get the job done.
Such as, if the key is a minor key, can I play the "Blues Scale"? Yes. Can I play the pure "country scale" no. Why? Because that particular scale is used against major chords.
|
There's where I disagree. I believe anything is possible in music. Just because the books say something shouldn't be used in this type of music, doesn't mean that you can't do it. Your ears are the best way to find out if something fits or not, not what is written in a book. IMO too much adherence to music theory can inhibit expression and progression, particularly in the ability to improvise. We have a group of saxophonists at one of the jams I play. They all read music and been playing around 3-4 years. Not one of them can play without having the music I find that strange. I can play along with almost anything, yet they can't.
I play a lot at jams, mainly as part of house bands, and have to improvise to whatever the vocalist at the time sings. If I end up playing something new, I find my brain trying to think what I can play as a solo whilst the singer is singing the first couple of verses/choruses. Sometimes, I may experiment, quietly, whilst they are singing, then go for it when my time comes. I'm not necessarily talking just 12 bar blues here either. I do the same when playing harmonica. Seems to work for me.
Yes, I know that some people may say I was playing in this or that mode, but my point is that I don't know that or even care.
Still, as you say, do whatever comes best to you.